The Falcon & The Winter Soldier: 12 Biggest Takeaways From Episode 5

Throughout the series, there have been several heavy discussions between Sam and Bucky. The latter made no secret of his disapproval and disappointment with Sam for how he simply gave up the shield after Steve entrusted it to him. He even threatened to take the shield from him should he ever try and destroy it.

However, in episode five Bucky had a change of heart. As he and Sam fought with John Walker to relieve him of the shield after he murdered one of the Flag Smashers, all three men were eventually down at the same time. Bucky got up first and picked up the shield, but instead of taking it for himself, he gave it to Sam.

This was a huge moment for both characters in the series, as Bucky admitted that he was wrong. He was in no place to tell Sam what he should do with the shield, especially given its legacy.

At first he didn't understand that for Sam it was deeper than just Steve passing on the name. He didn't, and couldn't ever understand what it was like for a Black man to be handed the shield, and he realised just how wrong he had been to treat Sam the way that he did. His apology was a powerful moment in the series, for both men and their relationship as a whole.